Glossary

Acquaintance Rape

Forced sexual contact between two or more parties who are acquainted.

ADD/ADHD

Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder: significant problems with hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or inattention. A medical
problem which can negatively impact social and family relationships, work and school performance, and overall happiness and effectiveness.

Advocacy

The process of speaking or writing in challenges, and work towards goals to make their lives support of an
issue.

AIDS

AIDS is the end result of the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome) infection which damages the immune system and allows the body to be
infected by an opportunistic disease. HIV is spread by transfer of body fluids as in sexual relations or IV drug use—NOT THROUGH CASUAL CONTACT.

Anorexia Nervosa

Self imposed food restriction and starvation in an obsessive effort to lose weight and achieve an unrealistic ideal or
thinness.

Birth Control

A general term for the use of any devices, drugs, or methods designed to prevent conception (the fertilization of ovum (egg) by sperm)
i.e. pregnancy.

Bulimia

Recurring episodes of binge eating where followers have been unethically and deceptively large quantities of food are eaten quickly.
Binges are often followed by purging through vomiting, laxatives, and diet pills in an effort to avoid weight gain.

Civil Liberties

Those liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights including rights such as the right to privacy, expression, assembly,
and right to due process.

Confidential

Information that you give an agency cannot be given out to ANYONE without your consent.

Counseling/ Therapy

An individual or group process in which professionally trained individuals work with clients to learn new ways to see themselves,
problem solve emotional, social and relationship more satisfying and successful.

Counselor/ Therapist

A specialist in the process of counseling/therapy. Often specializing in areas such as children, adolescent,
etc.

Date Rape

Forced (meaning without one person’s consent) sexual contact including touching, penetration or forcing to view pornography on a
date.

Dating Violence

Any form of abusive behavior that occurs in a dating relationship which includes stalking, isolating you from family and friends,
calling names or putting you down, threatening to hurt themselves if you leave them, hitting, slapping or throwing things.

Destructive Cult

A closed system whose recruited through the use of manipulative techniques of thought reform or mind control. The system is imposed
without the informed consent of the recruit and is designed to alter personality and behavior.

Domestic Abuse

Refers to physical, psychological, or emotional attacks by someone whom you know (possibly are living
with).

Emancipated Youth

Someone under 19-years of age who is totally self-supporting for purposes of school attendance only.

Fees

A payment given for a professional service.

GED

General Education Development. The GED Test is designed to reflect the educational level of a twelfth grade student with a high school
diploma. Passing this exam earns you a certificate that many colleges, training schools, and employers recognize as equivalent to a high school diploma.

Hotline

A hotline is answered by someone who can give you immediate help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Inpatient Services

Services provided to individuals who are receiving services within a hospital setting.

Learning Disabilitie

Significant problems in learning which are not due to low intelligence. Individuals with learning disabilities have average or above
average intelligence but are not able to learn in the same way as those learners in the general population.

OB/GYN

Medical practice dealing with the care and treatment of women, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Outpatient Services

Services provided to individuals who are living outside the agency where they are receiving services.

Pediatrics

Medical practice dealing with the care and treatment of infants and children.

Postpartum

Time period following the birth of a child.

Prenatal Care

Medical care of a pregnant woman before the baby is born.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor (MD) who can prescribe medication to assist with the treatment of emotional and behavioral
disorders/problems.

Pshychologist

A doctor in research and specialist in assessment and non-pharmaceutical (drug) treatment of emotional and behavioral
disorders/problems.

Services provided to individuals who are residing within the agency where they are receiving services.

Ritualistic Abuse

Bizarre, systematic, and continuing mental, physical, and sexual abuse for the purpose of implanting
evil.

Self-Abusive Behavior

Behavior (intentional or not) that results in harm to one's own emotional or physical self and that is a consequence of an individual's
choice (self-aware or not).

Self-Mutilation

The act of harming oneself physically (such as by burning or cutting oneself).

STD

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). These are diseases that are spread through sexual contact and include gonorrhea, chlamydia,
syphilis, herpes, venereal warts, and HIV.

Sliding Scale

A sliding scale fee is determined based upon a person's income and ability to pay.

Substance Abuse

Misuse and/or overindulgence of any substance or chemical that alters normal functions of the brain.

TDD

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf

24-Hour Line

A 24-hour line is answered by an answering service or machine after office hours. You may leave a message and someone will return your
call.

Vocational Counseling

Guides you in choosing an occupation.

WIC

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). State program that provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for
low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.